New World testing online shopping app with Mt Roskill customers

Foodstuffs North Island has released a beta version of the app for its New World Mt Roskill customers to test, Chief Executive Chris Quin says.

“We want to see how the app works for our customers and get their feedback before we roll this out to other parts of the country,” he says. “By developing the app in collaboration with our customers, we’ll create something that offers a much better user experience.

“Globally, companies have worked out that if you launch your digital products early, you glean valuable information on how usable they are, and you can refine what you’re offering. That’s our intention with I shop New World. We want to hear what our customers think and develop this with customers to meet their needs.”

The app is available for both Android and Apple smartphone and tablet users.

“We chose to develop I shop New World as an app first, because smartphones are fast becoming the nation’s most popular device. At least 70 percent of Kiwis have one.[1] And in the US, we’ve seen that mobile apps are where people are spending the majority of their time online – more than desktop usage or mobile web surfing.[2]”

Customers can browse virtual shelves in the I shop New World app for their favourite products and easily add these to their basket through drag and drop functionality, making the experience simple, interactive and fun.

Features include the ability to create and save multiple shopping lists, so there’s no need to start from scratch every time; save multiple addresses, so you can shop and deliver groceries for family or friends; and securely save multiple credit card details.

“You can use the Click & Collect service to order via the app and collect your shopping from your local store, or you can choose to have your groceries delivered. Either way, the app is designed to make your grocery shopping experience that much more convenient, because you can do it all from your tablet or smartphone,” Quin says. “We’ve been trialling a Click & Collect service at our New World Thorndon and Levin stores for a couple of years now, which has given us lots of useful insights into how our customers use the service.

“Our Click & Collect lockers are outside the store’s front door with their own dedicated parking bays. That means you can pull up and grab your groceries without having to get the kids out of the car,” Quin says.

Foodstuffs intends to expand the test area to include more Auckland and Wellington stores before rolling out I shop New World further, and also plans to develop a web version.